Hitch As ADC Kicks Against Hijack Of Party By New Members Hiding Under Coalition

By Ayodele Oni

What looks like the first major hurdle for the coalition group under African Democratic Congress, (ADC) has surfaced as initial members of the party kicked against its hijack by new defectors.

ADC is an existing  registered political party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But major opposition leaders had, on Tuesday, adopted it as their new political platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The coalition nominated former Senate President David Mark as the party’s Protem National Chairman and a former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as Protem National Secretary.

Speaking under Concerned Stakeholders of the ADC, Youth Leaders, Women Leaders, State Party Executives, and Ward Coordinators Nationwide flayed the appointment of Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior, as Interim National Secretary of the Party.

In a statement signed by Musa Isa Matara, National Publicity Secretary, ADC, stated: “We firmly reject the premise and process behind this appointment an appointment that lacks due process, transparency, and the broad-based legitimacy expected in a democratic political party.

“The ADC is not a private coalition platform to be hijacked by any elite group or individuals regardless of how eloquent or ideologically polished their speeches may sound.

“Our party has structures, leadership organs, youth and women wings, and constitutional guidelines none of which were consulted or respected in the announcement of this so-called “appointment.”

“Who appointed Gov. Aregbesola? Which organ of the ADC ratified this appointment? Was the National Executive Committee (NEC) involved? Were state chairmen, youth leaders, and elected national officers consulted?

If the answer is no as it clearly is then this “appointment” is null and void.

“The claim that the ADC has become the ‘platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group’ is misleading. Our millions of members have not been informed or carried along in this so-called coalition.

“If anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty.

“Let it be known to those who are trooping into our party under this chaotic coalition arrangement that the ADC has been battling unresolved legal crises since the 2023 general elections.

“These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive.

“We warn those coming into the ADC as part of this imposed arrangement to tread carefully. Be mindful that some few individuals are attempting to sell out the soul of our party for personal gain. The ADC is not for sale. It belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite dealmakers.

“We stand firmly on the side of accountable leadership, transparent decision-making, and a people-powered party structure. Any process that excludes the very people it claims to serve is undemocratic and must be challenged.

“We call on all genuine stakeholders of the ADC across States, Zones, and Demographic Groups to reject this attempted takeover of our party.

“We are not opposed to coalitions.

We are not opposed to reform.

But we are opposed to hijack, to imposition, and to speeches that sound revolutionary but hide elitist intentions beneath poetic language.

“Until a legitimate, constitutionally-backed ADC National Convention or NEC confirms leadership changes, no one has the moral or legal right to speak for our party nationally.”